With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

15 comments:

To continue my previous post -- All in all, I'm not too upset by this signing. Linemen CAN play into their mid-thirties, and if he has anything left in the tank I'm alright with them picking him up, His contract couldn't have been too huge.

you stole the words outta my mouth when I herad the news. I was thinking more on the lines of Mean Joe Greene since he is still employed by the team. I was not sarcastic in my Buffalo game analysis when I said every 2009 draft pick needs to go towards defense. Somewhere in East Rutherford, when Thomas Jones ran buck wild, is where we lost our stifling run defense. Jacksonville killed us, Steven Jackson ran wild and we made Musa Smith look like OJ Simpson. Marshawn Lynch is good and he looked great. We made Fred Jackson look like Bo Jackson. This trend is alarming. They obviously sense something by signing Orpheus. The starting D-line may all be over the hill, unfortunaely. Larry Foote has to go, put Timmons in. And, hopefully, Troy can spark them 'cause that schedule could have us picking really early come 2009. Can you say Vontae Davis or James Laurinitis???

I like this signing. Roye may not have a lot of gas left in the tank, but I think he is more than adequate to give Keisel/Smith a break during the game for 10-15 snaps. He has almost no learning curve because of his history with the Steelers. As I remember he is a good locker room guy too. That being said, lets pray that Smith or Keisel doesn't get hurt this year or the run defense will be screwed.

Every 2009 pick for defense? I hope you're not serious. I'm pumped about Sweed, but Hines isn't getting any younger. I know we have bigger issues than receiver, but I'd like to spend a mid/late round on another one. I'm definitely up for grabbing some D-linemen, but I think it's obvious we need to start grooming/get starters to protect Ben. I like Ben, and I like seeing him able to walk.

I wanted to see them sign some quality depth on D-line but Roye is an ancient mariner. I hope they find someone younger with upside after the cut downs but quality linemen usually don't become available in the NFL.

If the preseason is in any way an accurate gauge of the quality of our run D...it may not matter much. Sometimes teams get old at a position from one year to another and suddenly they start acting their age. I have never seen the big deal about Keisel..Hampton is still a top 5 NT but he's slipping..Aaron is still stud-like but he is coming back from a major injury. This will be an area to watch and pray for health..

I am somewhat more relieved about the O-line situation. I think they'll be adequate this year. Its hard to get used to having a mediocre O-line but its just the truth at the moment.I hope the TE's turn into blocking monsters..the other members of the line are going to need the help as will Ben.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm getting a little frustrated with the steelers message board and my posts are probably getting too aggressive/bitter. I should tone things down.

Honestly, my frustration in the draft has entirely been after round 2. I thought they missed out on a steal in Rodrique Wright (DE) in 2006 (picking Orien Harris instead). We saw Max Jean-Gilles (G) in the Philly game who was available when we picked Willie Reid. I thought they should have picked Doug Free instead of Sepulveda in 2007. I liked Ahtyba Rubin (NT) and Kirk Barton (OT) as opposed to the special teams guys we picked this year in round 6.

Overall, it's not the early picks that have frustrated me, but the lack of attempts we've made in the draft for the lines. It's catching up to us (and will even more if Starks, Smith, Kemo and/or Essex aren't signed before September 1st).

you can call me pat (my gmail address puts in patrick) and i agree with what you said about the draft strategy. I've seen you talk about how Colbert almost completely disregards the 2nd day of the draft and I'll meet you halfway on that idea. The problem I have with that is unless you pull off a Jerry Reese miracle like he had last year, what team consistently has good 2nd day drafts? And that's an honest question, not trying to insult you. Do you know of any?

And I don't blame you about the Steelers board, some of the posters there still wish we had TJ Duckett.

If you ever want some intelligent banter, you can e-mail me directy at patrick.mccool@gmail.com instead of taking up space on Dale's post. As someone who has worked in finance and a current law school student, I appreciate your knowledge and understanding of the Steelers Cap situations. I am not nearly as knowledgable on those issues.

PatrickThat was the one thing Tom Donahoe did very well when he was here. In fact, he had quite a few hits on the second day, at least one or two per year who turned into good players.The Steelers don't miss very often on Day 1 now, but they get nothing on Day 2. Maybe scouting across the league is better.